A bit of press

My CB450 is on Bikeexif, with some great photos by Dave Gunderson.

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I  am chuffed to be up there on Bikeexif with some of my all time favourite bike builds.

Head over to Bikeexif for the full story: 

http://www.bikeexif.com/honda-cb450-k0

Been a tad occupied...

You see - I have this new secret laboratory set up where I can tinker on new steampunk devices and old motorcycles.

I can't tell you where it is - but I can show you the door.

Actually, I have been quietly tinkering away behind this door for a wee while, but I did get the rather apt sign for it today from a flea market in the country.

I was also recently honoured with an appearance in a documentary which was partially filmed in my secret laboratory, more on that once the work is completed and in circulation.

Meanwhile, I continue to work on my latest creation, the 'temporal prognosticator' a science device that attempts to harness the powerful but uncontrollable predictive powers of a gypsies crystal ball and direct it to specific futures.

Fun times.

How much is that Beeza in the window?

... the one with the hard tail.

My BSA project is currently decorating Tanya's shop window as part of a 'mantiques' display for Father's Day.

I added a selection of other old parts from my collection, old oil tins, magazines, helmets, and spare parts from other bikes to give the whole window a garage feel.

So far so good - it is getting some attention for the store.

Happy fun times - the BSA begins

I picked up my new project today - it starts with a 1937 BSA hard tail frame and girder fork front end, and hopefully a 350 engine at a later stage (that's a 250 in the photo).

This one will be a real spartan build, no bling, no paint, no shine - more of a 'rustoration' project.

Here's what I have to start with...

The box contains the gearbox, the rest is as you see it. The rear wheel has never been used on a bike before - so a bit of a bonus. The engine is now soaking in lubricant in the hope the piston frees up and I can get the head off. I will restore the 250 as a practice run whilst I search for a 350 to replace it.

This one will be fun, a bit steampunk, a bit dieselpunk and a bit ratty.

Distractions

I don't go looking for steampunk inspiration as much as it finds me. Even in the Board room at work, there lurks a tempting piece of furniture just waiting to be turned into some amazing contraption.

Actually, what am I saying? It needs no modification at all, just keep it as is.

Damn distracting at times when you are in an important meeting at work and that thing is sitting there.

Technical difficulties

Just as I am building my confidence in the bike I built, it does something to have me doubting the bike and my mechanical aptitude.

This morning's ride effort lasted approximately five hundred metres before the bike decided that no amount of throttle was going to produce the required acceleration, this became more challenging as the bike refused to travel at any more than walking pace in first gear as I abruptly turned for home.

I have parked the bike at home (with one extremely hot left hand side exhaust) and I will commence diagnosis on the weekend. Early indications with the Facebook crowd from MCR is that I may have a blocked fuel line and consequently be running very lean (hence the heat) in one cylinder.

Hopefully this is the case, as a blocked fuel line and a possible cleaning of fuel jets is something I can do.

End of the day - I will fix the problem and end up more confident of my own skills and the bikes performance, remember, this is a journey.

steampunk

My steampunk art pieces currently on tour in the Antipodean Steampunk Show.

Both pieces use found object material to create devices that are wearable, whimsical and non sensical (an air brake on a rocket pack?).